Applied Hydrogeology Certificate

Program details

Student stories

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Industry highlights

Employment of hydrogeologists is expected to grow 16 percent between 2012 and 2022Bureau of Labor Statistics

Employer experience

As anticipated, [the applicant’s hydrogeology field course] experience was one of the main qualifications that set him apart from other candidates … as an employer, we are excited to see that an entry-level candidate has the experiences which can only be acquired during field camp. Kate Fayling, P.G., GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.

Graduate Certificate

Get in-demand experience to enter the growing field of hydrogeology

There is growing need for environmental professionals with experience and knowledge in hydrogeology. Environmental regulations supporting clean water, problems concerning water quality and treatment, and a large number of geoscientists reaching retirement age have increased the demand for qualified hydrogeologists, hydrologists and environmental geologists. Additionally, if you already have an interest in environmental geology or hydrology, learning more about hydrogeology could be a natural fit.

Whether you’re currently a student or an industry professional, the graduate certificate in applied hydrogeology will give you marketable field experience and credentials.

Earn your credentials from the country’s premier hydrogeology program

The certificate program combines our highly regarded six-week field course with three geoscience electives (15 credit hours total). The geoscience electives are offered online and also at our main campus in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Since its inception in 1987, our hydrogeology field course has been attracting students and professionals from across the nation and the world. The field course is offered in Kalamazoo, Mich. each summer.

You’ll spend six weeks in the field getting hands-on experience in:

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER).

Geophysical methods of investigating ground water.

Aquifer testing.

Groundwater sampling and monitoring.

Well drilling and installation.

Remediation design and implementation.

Open doors to rewarding career opportunities

A certificate in applied hydrogeology can give you additional endowments and increase your employability without having to commit to a full-time graduate program.

Holders of a certificate in applied hydrogeology have found jobs as:

Geologist*, hydrogeologist

Teacher*, educational consultant or museum educator

Manager or mid-level consultant

Environmental technician, scientist, specialist or engineer

Environmental regulator

*Some positions require additional licensure that are not provided by this program.

Employment opportunities may include working with:

Environmental consulting

Hydrogeolic investigation

Wetland mitigation

Flood prediction

Hazardous waste remediation

Environmental geochemistry

Over the last five years, nearly half of WMU Department of Geosciences graduates have found careers in hydrogeology and are working in the Great Lakes region, Colorado, California and beyond. Employment of hydrogeologists is expected to grow 16 percent between 2012 and 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, the 2014 Status of Geoscience Workforce report predicts a future workforce shortage of 135,000 geoscientists due to large swaths of retirees.